Rep Power: 0

Ok guys so I just bought an older civic, budget car, lucked out pretty good though, 98 civic SI (canada) D15b vtech jdm engine with cold air intake, fixer upper but a damn nice car.

so i was aware that it needed fixing like back brakes, front bearing, etc.

then out of no where, the engine wont start, turn the key, nothing what so ever except for radio, dash lights, head lights. every one keeps saying it's the starter, but before i get it towed and checked out can anyone tell me about this?

I think it might have a kill switch for the starter and i might have activated it some how. i took 2 pictures, one of this button left of the steering wheel, hidden in a little compartment, and the other is the wiring right underneath looks newer than everything else.

 
Rep Power: 518

Looks like a valet switch for an aftermarket alarm system.

Follow the wiring to the control unit, see if you can tell who made it. Find that manufacturers website.....
Contact the previous owner? Local alarm installer shop?
Google for something like how to use a valet switch.


Rip the alarm out and restore the factory wiring to original condition?

 
Rep Power: 0

hey, ive been researching valet switches and cant find a trick to disarm it, but i went back to my car and found a box near where my left foot is when i drive, behind the panel, this is it.



it is by a company called arctic start, remote starter and alarm.. but its very old..

 
Rep Power: 518

That's it.
Wow man, that's as old as the car!

It's not from Honda.
It might have been installed by the dealer, or been installed elsewhere when the car was very new.


I'd remove it and restore the original wiring to proper order. Or at least patch the starter wire back together so it will crank.

Hell, maybe the alarm stuff has nothing to do with it at all! Could just be a starter problem. Need a little diagnosis to figure it out for sure.